Yuri Gagarin in the UK

Following his historic spaceflight, Yuri Gagarin, who was a former foundry worker, was invited to visit Manchester by the Foundry Worker's Union. The Macmillan Government extended the invitation to London, adding an extra few days to the planned tour in July 1961.

As part of YuriGagarin50 activities, we are looking to compile as detailed a timeline as possible for Gagarin's movements during the four days that he spent in the UK. The timeline below is a work in progress. If you have any personal recollections about Gagarin's visit, please contact office AT yurigagarin50.org.

More details of Gagarin's UK tour and links to associated RIA Novosti images are available in the timeline of Gagarin's Life.

Date

Time

Description

Tuesday 11th July

10:30

A Russian TU104 carrying Yuri Gagarin touches down at London Airport (source: Pathé) and is met on behalf of the Government by Mr Turnbull, Secretary of the Minister of Science Office (source: Pathé) and Air Marshal Sir Ronald Lees, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. (Source: Flight)

Gagarin is driven from the airport in an open-top Rolls Royce, registration number YG1, on his way to the Russian Embassy. From Hammersmith onwards, the streets are crowded with people. (Source: Pathé)

11:45

Arrives at the Soviet Embassy (Source: Daily Worker 10/7/61).

At the Embassy, Gagarin is presented with a bouquet of flowers by a little girl. (Source: Hulton Archive )

13:00

.Gagarin arrives at Earl's Court to see the Soviet Exhibition. He meets the organisers. (Source: Pathé, Guardian 12/7/61)

15:00

After lunch there is a press conference in the fashion theatre of the Soviet Exhibition attended by 600 journalists (for details of the questions asked, see the article in Flight).

Gagarin flies to Manchester in an BEA plane and arrives in the rain at Ringway Airport, Manchester. Seeing the crowds, he asks for the top of the car to be taken down saying, “If all those people are getting wet to welcome me, surely the least I can do is get wet too!” (Souce: Guardian 13/07/61) .

10:45

Gagarin visits the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers, at Brook's Bar, in Old Trafford. He is made an honorary member and Union President, Fred Hollingsworth presents Gagarin with a gold medal (source: Pathé). .

A reception is held for Gagarin at the Air Ministry. Among those present are Air Chief Marshal Sir Thomas Pike, Chief of the Air Staff, Ambassador Soldatov and Maj-Gen I.P. Efimov, the Soviet Military Attache. Gagarin is presented with a silver cigarette box by the Secretary of State for Air, Mr Julian Amery, who receives in return a copy of Gagarin's book about his flight (source: Flight)..

17:30

Gagarin attends a reception in Kensington at the Society for Cultural Relations between the British Commonwealth and the USSR. (Source: Daily Worker 13/7/61).

18:00

Gagarin attends a reception hosted by the Great Britain-USSR Association and the Hyde Park Hotel. (Source: Daily Worker 13/7/61)

19:30

Gagarin goes to the Dorchester Hotel to meet with the Moscovites, an association of British men that trade with the USSR - This meeting was cancelled and Gagarin took in a sight-seeing tour of London. (Source: Guardian 14/7/61)

Gagarin has lunch with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace (source: Flight). He is accompanied by his interpreter, Boris Belitzky, Soviet Ambassador Alexander Soldatov and Lieutenant-General Nikolai Kamanin, who was at that time in charge of the cosmonaut unit (Source: Voice of Russia).

14:45

Gagarin returns to the Soviet Embassy

15:30

Earl's Court (Source: Daily Worker 14/7/61)

16:40

Gagarin returns to the Soviet Embassy to receive a gift from the British Soviet Friendship Society. (Source: Daily Worker 14/7/61)

17:30?

Gagarin visits Highgate Cemetery

21:00

Gagarin is interviewed on BBC Television and thanks the British people for the warmth of their welcome. (Source: Daily Worker, 17th July 1961).

A crowd of 2000 people gather outside the Soviet Embassy in London to wave Gagarin off. Thousands more line Kensington High Street and the Bath Road. Well-wishers pack every bus to London Airport. (Source: Daily Worker, 17th July 1961).

11:45

There is a final press conference at the airport. Gagarin says "I carry back with me the most warm memories of the friendly reception and of the hospitality of Great Britain, the population of your capital and in the celebrated city of Manchester". (Source: Daily Worker, 17th July 1961).

12:35

Gagarin stands for several seconds on the steps of the plane and several people rush forward to shake his hand and embrace him. He flies home from Heathrow. (Source: Daily Worker, 17/7/61).